US carrier at centre of onboard controversy heads to Pattaya after nine months at sea

Bangkok, September 2 - The USS Abraham Lincoln, a US aircraft carrier that has been the subject of controversy over onboard conditions, approached the Thai coast on Wednesday for its first port call in nine months. Accompanied by tugs, the 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard sailed from the Middle East, where they had been stationed since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began six months ago.

The carrier is heading to the Thai resort town of Pattaya for rest and recreation, a stop that has been used by US troops since the Vietnam War. An official in Pattaya confirmed the ship's arrival before lunchtime. The Lincoln departed California in November 2025 for duty in the South China Sea, but was rerouted to the Middle East after the Iran conflict began.

Reports of deteriorating living conditions and mental health issues, including attempted suicides, on board sparked criticism of the Trump administration's war on Iran. Pattaya, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and nightlife, has implemented measures to ensure safety and fair pricing for the military personnel.

Mayor Poramase Ngampiches stated that buses have been arranged for transportation back to the ship after the visit. Despite concerns from Democratic lawmakers about food shortages and broken plumbing, the Trump administration dismissed the issues, attributing any mental health cases to "no loss of life." The carrier will be replaced by the USS George Washington, which will be followed by the USS Theodore Roosevelt as the US continues its presence in the Arabian Sea for strike missions over Iran.